John Kissane was born February 2, 1864 in County Kerry, Ireland. John, his parents, (John and Mary Mahoney Kissane), and siblings came to America in 1873. They lived in Zilwaukee, Saginaw County, Michigan, then moved to a small farm out Bay Road in Saginaw County. He told stories of doing all the farm work by hand, marking the rows with a hoe and planting five kernels of corn in each hill. In 1877, the family moved to the Thumb where they survived the great Tuscola-Huron-Sanilac County fire which swept 60 miles in two hours destroying everything. 

The Kissane's moved to Lakefield Township around 1881 and owned and operated an 80 acre farm. John, eventually added another 80 acres to his farm and he maintained 160 acres of farm land until his retirement. His property was located in Section 21 on Lakefield Road between Fenmore and Meridian Roads with 40                                                                      acres going through to Fenmore Road.

John married Helen Elizabeth “Lizzie” McNamara, when he was 41 years old. He married Elizabeth on November 30, 1905 at St. John's Catholic Church, Hemlock, Michigan by John E. Troy, a catholic priest. Elizabeth was born August 31, 1877 in Belleville, Ontario; her parents were John and Helen McNamara.  

John and Elizabeth's children were:

1. Veronica B. Kissane was born August 24, 1906. She married Elmer William Teal. Elmer died in 1942 and then she married William Pitt.

2. John T. Kissane was born November 4, 1908. He married Florence Pagano.

3. Milo Bernard Kissane was born December 21, 1910 in Lakefield Township. He married Mildred Katherine Wolhbert.

4.    Helen Rosella Kissane was born June 19, 1913. She married Anson Moulton.